Southern Idaho Fauna and Its Effect on the Reproductive Success of the Horned Lark
Additional Funding Sources
The project described was supported by the Pacific Northwest Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation through the National Science Foundation under Award No. HRD-1410465.
Abstract
In the research group that I am a part of, we work to understand how recreation in the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area affects nesting success of the horned lark (Eremophila alpestris). Horned larks are a common, but declining, species making it important to understand factors that influence their breeding success. Assessing horned larks also allows us to make a comparison to more sensitive species studied at the same site. Recreation at these sites, such as small game hunting or hiking, may signal the presence of food to scavengers, increasing their presence in an area. I focused my summer research on the scavengers of the area, and how their presence (or lack thereof) affects nest success. We used trail cameras and nest habitat surveys to assess factors that could lead to increased nest failures. By identifying areas with a higher presence of scavengers, in addition to the teams' work to analyze amount and type of local recreation and the nesting success rates of the horned lark, we can begin to understand how recreation affects these birds ability to successfully fledge offspring. This work could help to inform public policy surrounding land management and recreation in the area.
Southern Idaho Fauna and Its Effect on the Reproductive Success of the Horned Lark
In the research group that I am a part of, we work to understand how recreation in the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area affects nesting success of the horned lark (Eremophila alpestris). Horned larks are a common, but declining, species making it important to understand factors that influence their breeding success. Assessing horned larks also allows us to make a comparison to more sensitive species studied at the same site. Recreation at these sites, such as small game hunting or hiking, may signal the presence of food to scavengers, increasing their presence in an area. I focused my summer research on the scavengers of the area, and how their presence (or lack thereof) affects nest success. We used trail cameras and nest habitat surveys to assess factors that could lead to increased nest failures. By identifying areas with a higher presence of scavengers, in addition to the teams' work to analyze amount and type of local recreation and the nesting success rates of the horned lark, we can begin to understand how recreation affects these birds ability to successfully fledge offspring. This work could help to inform public policy surrounding land management and recreation in the area.